Syd Billings

Syd Billings
Personal information
Full name Sydney Charles Billings
Date of birth (1879-01-01)1 January 1879
Date of death 5 June 1915(1915-06-05) (aged 36)
Original team(s) Rose of Northcote
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1905–1907 Fitzroy 34 (2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1907.

Sydney Charles "Syd" Billings (1 January 1879 – 5 June 1915) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Career

Billings, a defender recruited from Rose of Northcote, was already 26 when he debuted for Fitzroy in the 1905 VFL season.[1] Fitzroy were the reigning VFL premiers, but Billings broke into the side in the opening round and played 13 games in the home and away season.[2] He didn't take part in the 1905 finals series, which ended with Fitzroy claiming another premiership. In the 1906 season, Billings played only the first seven rounds, but in the 1907 season he was a regular in the team, with 14 appearances.[2] Often used as a full-back, Billings was said to be noted for his "brilliant high marking"[3][4]

In 1908 he got a permit to return to Rose of Northcote.[5] By this time he was also playing district cricket for the Northcote Cricket Club and in 1911-12 was a member of the club's first-grade premiership side.[6] As a footballer he went on to play for Northcote in the Victorian Football Association (VFA), later Northcote-Preston as a result of a merger. He was cleared to the Williamstown Football Club in 1912.[7]

Personal life and death

Billings died in a car accident at Morang on the night of 5 June 1915, aged 36. He was a passenger in the car, which had to swerve into an embankment to avoid colliding with a wood dray.[3] The back tire burst and the occupants were tossed out of the vehicle.[8] Billings appeared relatively unharmed, as he was able to go over and assist his companions in moving the car, but after giving it a lift lost consciousness.[8] It was likely that he had suffered heart failure.[8]

He was married to Luisa Billings, with whom he had two children, Charlie and Bessie.[9] A concert was held at Northcote Town Hall to raise money for his family.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 9781920910785.
  2. 1 2 "Syd Billings – Games Played". AFL Tables. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Football Gossip.". Leader (Melbourne). Vic.: National Library of Australia. 19 June 1915. p. 19 Edition: Weekly. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Football Notes.". Williamstown Chronicle. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 22 June 1912. p. 5. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  5. ↑ "Permit Applications.". The Argus. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 2 May 1908. p. 17. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  6. ↑ "The Northcote First Eleven.—Premiers First Grade Cricket. 1911-12.". Melbourne Punch. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 18 April 1912. p. 13. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  7. ↑ "Football Notes.". Williamstown Chronicle. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 6 July 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 "Sequel to Motor Mishap.". Preston Leader. Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 June 1915. p. 2. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  9. ↑ "Family Notices.". The Age. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 5 June 1917. p. 1. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  10. ↑ "Association.". The Australasian. Melbourne: National Library of Australia. 10 July 1915. p. 24. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
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